The Convention, which set minimum standards of protection for the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of migrant workers, was regarded as a major contribution to the process of setting international standards on the rights of migrants, a process that had begun with the adoption of Convention No. 97 (1949) concerning Migration for Employment and Convention No. 143 (1975) concerning Migrations in Abusive Conditions and the Promotion of Equality of Opportunity and Treatment of Migrant Workers, of the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
La Convención, que establece normas mínimas para la protección de los derechos civiles, políticos, económicos, sociales y culturales de los trabajadores migratorios, es considerada una gran aportación al proceso internacional de fijación de normas relativas a los derechos de los migrantes, emprendido por la Organización Internacional del Trabajo (OIT) con los Convenios No. 97, de 1949, y No. 143, de 1975.